Why cooking classes?

Refugees and asylum seekers often have compelling stories to tell but, for a range of reasons, don’t have the opportunity to share these experiences, nor to even connect with many people in their new communities in the first place. We believe that teaching plays an important role in providing a voice for this often-marginalised group, and that the intimate space of the kitchen is the best venue for it. One of the most positive outcomes of participating in Free to Feed for refugees and asylum seekers is developing their skills in expressing themselves and their stories, communicating and facilitating small groups..
 

Are your teachers professional chefs?

Our own grandmothers are the best cooks we know, and their qualification is a lifetime of experience. We apply this philosophy to Free to Feed. What’s important to remember is that we are not teaching our instructors how to cook – they already know how! We recruit those with serious talents in cooking their traditional cuisines to cook delicious catering feasts for your friends and family, as well as guide you through unique cooking experiences in Melbourne. We support them to transfer their existing skills to a new environment and we’re building their capacity to present their unique stories.
 

Where does the money go?

All of your contributions are reinvested straight back into the running costs of Free to Feed. We are a Melbourne social enterprise and registered charity and our ABN is 45613017682. Our outgoings include amazing local ingredients, cooking equipment, training our cooks (including with industry professionals), rent of our Northcote and North Fitzroy spaces and, most importantly, paying all of our staff a good wage!
 

can we drink alcohol?

Yes, we have a curated selection of local beer, wine and soft drink from our favourite producers and suppliers available for purchase at all classes. Card only (no amex, no cash - sorry)! Unfortunately, BYO is not possible.   

What about vegetarians and other dietary requirements?

Our menus are thoughtfully developed in consultation with our cooking instructors to ensure they stay true to their cultural roots and story. Due to the shared nature of our cooking experiences, we aren’t always able to accommodate specific dietary requests and have listed dietary information in brackets for each instructor’s menu on our community experiences page for your convenience. If you would like to seek further information about a specific dietary and recommendations for a menu that will best accommodate your needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email prior to booking - we would love to host you!

A small selection of our classes are suitable for vegetarians and can be tailored for vegans. We also hold occasional veggie-based specific events, so sign up to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with what we’re planning.